The presence of FAA suggests that this could be part of the priming process for binge-like eating in the palatable schedule-fed model, which can be initiated very rapidly once HFD becomes available again.
A palatable scheduled feeding model, described by Berner et al.
Consistent with the persistent increase in activity during the replacement phase, it has been shown previously that FAA can persist following withdrawal of palatable diet from a palatable scheduled feeding regime.
Previous exposure to the palatable scheduled feeding regime had consequences for body weight, food intake microstructure and meal pattern, as well as activity pattern in the later study phases.
The present study further characterises the large meal/binge-like eating model at a behavioural level in mice, focussing on how palatable scheduled feeding influences food intake microstructure and meal patterns.
This suggests an association between the mechanisms underlying binge-like eating on a palatable diet and those responsible for FAA, and highlights the value of palatable scheduled feeding models for further investigation as we seek to gain additional insight into the control of meal feeding and over-consumption of calories.
10.7554/eLife.03781.014 Figure 8. Activity of D1R KO (n = 9) and WT (n = 14) mice on a 60% CR meal pre-treated with 14 days of a palatable meal schedule.
Here we present results from two independent laboratories, using running wheels, motion sensors, video based analyses, and several palatable feeding schedules.
However, fewer studies have investigated food anticipatory behaviour under palatable feeding schedules similar to the one used in the current study.
The reward value of food and its motivational properties have also been implicated in food entrainment since FAA can also be induced in animals fed on palatable feeding schedules, where a stock diet is available for the remainder of the day (Mendoza, 2007; Mistlberger & Rusak, 1987).
